Tyler Smith is a redshirt freshman and is still just 20 years old. After sitting out his first year, he started at left tackle in 2020 and 2021 before garnering enough attention to enter the NFL draft. The Chicago Bears have an obvious need for offensive tackles, so the question now becomes what does Tyler Smith bring to the NFL, and when should he be considered in the 2022 NFL draft?
Tyler Smith Athletic Measurements
Thanks to MockDraftable we are able to see how Tyler Smith compares from size and athletic standpoint from past NFL draft offensive line.
His height is about average, but his wingspan and arm length are above average. From there, he posted elite speed at size, combined with above-average agility drills, and a slightly below-average vertical jump.
Tyler Smith has made 24 career starts and all of them have come at left tackle. For his career, he has committed 16 penalties.
Strengths that Tyler Smith can translate to the NFL
Tyler Smith is nearly perfectly built for a lineman. His height is not a concern, especially because for his height he has great width and length. Smith has great power, and when he does he gets his arms within reach of his opponent he can often latch onto them and put them into the ground.
Smith shoots out of his stance whether in pass protection or getting downhill as a run blocker, where he arguably is at his best. Still, his quick feet and shoot-out in pass protection is hard to teach for people of his size and give him a base to build upon. When you add in his age as one of the youngest players in the draft, the upside he brings is much higher than most players in this draft.
Questions that will impact Tyler Smith in the NFL
There will be a time to bet on the upside of Tyler Smith, but the need for tackles and his potential may have teams overvaluing him. A lot of his profile is based n potential and bits and pieces of seeing the way that he moves. His movement skills at his size and his power are rare, but his technique is that of a two-year starter from Tulsa with limited experience.
Smith can reach and grab too often, which can lead to holding calls, but at the same time will see Smith overshooting and missing his target, taking himself out of the play altogether.
The other issue is that while he is quick off of the snap, he often gets too high out of his stance, and nearly is standing up straight by the time he is ready to engage with his man. Smaller players can get under him and beat him with leverage from there.
The raw tools are hard to ignore, but the raw has to be emphasized, as a team will have to work to refine his technique and get the most of his physical skill.
With that type of skill set, what is the best NFL comparison for Tyler Smith?
Tyler Smith NFL Comparison 2022 NFL draft
Thanks to Relative Athletic Scores we are able to find some players with similar size and athleticism to Tyler Smith. Beyond that, from an on-field perspective, the best NFL comparison for Tyler Smith is Austin Jackson of the Miami Dolphins.
You can see the similarities below. It is worth noting that looking at Jackson’s 3-cone if he had a shuttle time similar to Smith they probably would have an even closer overall score.
"View post on imgur.com"
From a height, weight, speed perspective they are similar and they have similar profiles coming into the NFL. Austin Jackson was very raw coming out of USC, but like Smith, was one of the youngest tackles in the entire draft.
He would same age as some players in this draft and he was taken in 2020. The same will be the same as Tyler Smith in 2024.
However, two years into the career of Austin Jackson and they have already moved him from tackle to left guard. There are two ways to look at it. In one regard, Jackson has the tenacity, the willpower to be a punishing run-blocking guard. On the other, he is still so raw in space that they cannot trust him against efficient pass rushers.
That could be more of a realistic outcome than a floor for Tyler Smith considering Jackson has possibly found a role. The upside of a player like this can drive them into the first round, but you have to understand the potential downside of taking a player so raw based only on his upside. Austin Jackson is a prime example.
Would Tyler Smith Fit Chicago Bears?
Obviously, if Tyler Smith does shoot into the first round because of his high upside he will be off of the table for the Chicago Bears. However, despite the lower-end outcome that is realistic, there is a chance that the Bears are the team that would bet on the upside.
To start, when Ryan Poles talk about the mentality he wants from his lineman, Tyler Smith fits It. He is aggressive, he plays angry, and he finishes blocks. As noted, if anything being too aggressive may hurt him.
Beyond that, he is what Matt Eberflus talks about with his offense. Matt Eberflus wants speed and to outrun his opponents. Drafting a tackle with 90th percentile speed and a player who is always the first one out of their stance is probably the direction to start.
The age makes sense too considering the team is not quite going all-in for next season. They are much more likely to be a good fit for Smith because they will be patient and not force him into a role.
They also plan on playing the best five in their best spot, so if that does mean Smith is better off as a guard, the team may not waste time, and make the move to get a high-quality guard.
the downside is notable, but the upside is just as strong, and if a team with patience, a need for speed, and a need for a young dog want to bet on Tyler Smith, it would be his and that team’s best case. Keep an eye on Tyler Smith to the Chicago Bears.